Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Small pockets of new soft slab with depths to 12 inches may begin to form on leeward aspects at the higher elevations. New snow and gusty winds associated with the passage of a cold front in the afternoon will be increasing the load on persistent weak layers. At the mid and upper elevations large persistent slab avalanches could be triggered on steep avalanche prone slopes by the weight of a single person. Smaller persistent slab avalanches could be triggered by humans on very steep terrain features below an elevation of 7,500 feet. Conservative terrain choices are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain. Most recreational avalanche fatalities occur during periods of considerable or moderate avalanche hazard.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2

    Many areas of the Togwotee Pass forecast zone have poor snowpack structure. In those areas snow that fell in January and February lies upon a weak base of well-developed faceted snow crystals. Other persistent weak layers include buried layers of surface hoar and near surface faceted snow. Large slab avalanches with depths from 1 to 3 feet could be triggered by the weight of a single person on these problem layers.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Periods of light to moderate snowfall are likely overnight and into the morning hours. This snowfall will increase in intensity in the afternoon and evening in association with the passage of a cold front. Accumulations of 6 to 12 inches in the mountains and 3 to 6 inches in the valleys are possible by Sunday evening. Temperatures will be in the single digits and teens in the mountains and in the teens and low 20s in the valleys. Winds along the higher ridge crests will veer towards the west and increase with some gusts to 50 miles per hour likely during the frontal passage on Sunday afternoon/evening.The general avalanche hazard will be on the increase, especially at the higher elevations which are expected to receive more snow and have higher winds. Fresh winds slabs will begin to form on leeward aspects and could be sensitive to human triggers in steep wind-loaded avalanche starting zones. The new snow and wind will also be increasing the load on persistent weak layers that exist in the snowpack at all elevations. Large slabs avalanches could be triggered by humans on these buried weak layers and could have severe consequences. The general avalanche hazard could increase from moderate to considerable during the day in areas that receive significant amounts of new snow and experience strong winds. A rapid increase in the hazard may occur in the afternoon during the passage of a cold front.

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